These free software will clear out junk files & speed up your PC

PC Decrapifier is particularly useful for new PCs, which are often either full of opportunities to discover apps or stuffed to the gills with junk.

Techradar

Updated: August 22, 2016, 13:39 IST

Is your Windows PC running a little slowly? It’s not your imagination: over time hard drives accumulate all kinds of things that slow things down. Software can’t solve obsolescence. But if the slowdown is software-related, help is here. It’s worth noting that you can do much of what these apps do yourself using Windows’ built-in system maintenance tools, but that’s time-consuming. What we are talking about here is convenience.

1. Iolo System MechanicEnjoy a cleaner, faster PC with greatly improved startup times Iolo System Mechanic removes junk files and unwanted apps, blocks bloatware and unwanted auto-run settings, clears out RAM and wipes various logs, browser histories and caches. Not only does this free up key system resources, it also eliminates traces of your browsing activity to protect your privacy. The free edition is excellent, but the premium version is well worth considering, if you find yourself using it regularly.

2. IObit Advanced SystemCareEffective cleaning and maintenance that’s ideal for novice users IObit Advanced SystemCare comes in two forms: a free version that covers basic house cleaning and a Pro version that adds internet speed-boosting, real-time optimisation, privacy protection, deep registry cleaning and 24X7 technical support. That’s currently US$20 for a year, and the license covers three PCs.

3. Piriform CCleanerEliminate unnecessary files, registry entries and tracking cookies Piriform CCleaner has been around for a long time, and part of the reason for its ongoing popularity is that it cleans the parts of your PC that many other free apps don’t. There’s a paid-for version that adds real time protection and cleanup scheduling, but the free version covers the important stuff such as removing temporary files, getting rid of browser caches, removing unwanted cookies while keeping the useful ones and so on.

4. PC DecrapifierJust bought a new PC? Clear out the bloatware for improved performance PC Decrapifier is particularly useful for brand-new PCs, which are often either full of exciting opportunities to discover new apps or stuffed to the gills with a load of useless junk (craplets), depending on your point of view. If you tend to the latter then this free application is well worth a look. It analyses your system, shows you the apps it thinks you should get rid of — based not just on its developers’ opinions but on other users’ feedback— and then removes the ones you choose.

5. Razer CortexBoost Performance enhancement specifically designed for gamers If your system struggles when you’re trying to get your game on, Razer Cortex: Boost could well be the answer. The free app suspends unnecessary system processes, clears out memory and defrags your system to get the best games performance possible. It’s available for Windows 7, 8 and 10 and automates the fiddly process of turning off unnecessary software and services when it’s time to play.